Internship Immersions
A Truly Unique Opportunity for students, researchers & intentional travelers in Ecuador- Including the Galapagos Islands!
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Immerse Yourself in Culture. Develop Unique Skills. Collaborate for Change.
Opportunity for Research and Professional Experience
Duration: 2, 4, or 8 Weeks
Setting: Virtual, In-Ecuador, or Hybrid
Dates: Programs Begin in January and June 2025
Time Commitment: Around 30 hours/week
-We offer customized experiences based on the goals and specialties of our participants. Program participants will have the option to attend an 8-week (June start), 4-week (June start) or 2-week (January and June) experience in Ecuador.
Gain invaluable experience as you support the physical, environmental, and social well-being of Ecuadorian communities through delivering primary and specialized health and entrepreneurial assistance.
Interested in a Shorter Trip? Check Out Our Impact Immersions.
Highlights
1. Inclusive and Transdisciplinary
This program is created for medical and pre-med students, public health, health care management, sustainable development, business students and anybody interested in the very important theme of health care viability in rural communities.
2. Cultural Immersion
Participants will be able to immerse themselves in Ecuadorian culture and gain in-person and/or virtual experience in understanding the state of health and development in rural Andean communities in and around the Chimborazo province, the conditions that threaten these communities, and the opportunities that could lead to advancement.
3. Skill Development
Participants will enhance language learning skills, cultural competency, as well as gain a unique perspective on the social, environmental, health, and entrepreneurial situations of a developing country.
Our Programs
Each intern will be participating in a variety of undertakings that are individually and cumulatively intended to provide benefit to the communities of Ecuador. Each participant will be designated a development project (or several if desired) that is based on the theme of the Immersion Program. Interns have 2 themes to choose from.
Interns can choose one or a combination of the themes for a personalized experience.
Medical Assistance & Innovation
Interns work alongside PACH’s medical professional staff at the local hospital. The position is primarily hospital-based with opportunities to accompany our team to perform rural community outreach. Our community campaigns allow our team to perform basic medical attention services in the communities of the Chimborazo province. Interns will have the opportunity to shadow health professionals in department(s) based on student’s academic and pre-professional interests. Departments include: family medicine, Andean traditional medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology and optometry, pharmacy and lab, chiropractic, physical therapy, and other rotating specialties.
Sustainable Development in Community Health
Interns will work dynamically to contribute to community-based efforts to create solutions for water sanitation, hygiene, indigenous agriculture, nutrition, agritourism, and food systems. These projects will focus on the improvement of indigenous community health with PACH and its partners in the provinces of Chimborazo, Azuay, Loja, and Morona Santiago. You will be working alongside a team of transdisciplinary international sustainable development professionals that specialize in community development, indigenous culture, agriculture, agroecology, and biological sciences.
Project Areas for 2025
While we encourage prospective interns to discuss their own initiatives that they may want to undertake, we will also have projects that are in progress that will require their support. Most of these projects are meant to continue the amazing work that prior interns have contributed. Continuity of the unique and impactful projects that we develop is a main goal of this program. Interns can choose to support the following:
Cervical Cancer Program: Implementation
Developed by a recent intern, this program aims to make a direct impact on woman’s health in the Andean region.
Indigenous Nutrition: Program Development
Developed over several years by our interns, this program aims to develop programming that can be delivered through our partner organization FIBUSPAM on a permanent basis.
More Projects for 2025:
- Needs Assessments in Galapagos
- Institutional Health Care Education
- Water Safety and Hygiene Care
- Mental Health Care Outreach
- Dental Health Programming
Project Details Coming in Fall 2024!
Our Team
Interns work alongside PACH’s international team of experts in sustainable community health development. You will collaborate with PACH staff, FIBUSPAM staff and medical professionals, our network of international development collborators and organizations as well as have the opportunity to be mentored by members of our Board of Directors.
Skill Development
– Gain insight into the opportunities, inherent risks, and limitations in healthcare in the developing world
– Have ample opportunities to significantly increase Spanish and Kichwa language proficiency
– Observe, and learn in a diverse cultural setting
– Embrace the opportunity to collaborate with international development and relief organizations
What Our Interns Think About the Program
Toyosi
Noah
Hilal
Medical Campaigns
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Also know as “Caravanas”, these are opportunities to accompany the international FIBUSPAM medical outreach team when they visit communities. This experience will allow participants ample ability to contribute directly to the well-being of communities that are desperately in need of support.
Eco-Tourism
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT
Interns will have the opportunity to visit several parts of the Andes and Amazon to experience what local communities are doing to sustainably improve their environment.
Group Dynamics
INNOVATION IN ACTION
Participants will interact with international medical professionals, NGO’s, governmental entities, and indigenous professionals, making a profound community impact while also gaining in-depth knowledge of the factors of sustainable development in Ecuador.
Why Collaborate with Us?
Acquire a Unique Cultural Perspective
The cultural and ecological diversity of Ecuador will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the world from a new, virtual perspective.
Increase Your Career Opportunities
Organizations both by choice and by demand, are prioritizing corporate social responsibility efforts and discovering that by creating a focus on a triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit, their ventures are yielding better results.
Be the Change
Every participant is provided the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of others, not only through collaboration with Ecuadorian counterparts, but also with their international team members.
Network with Changemakers
Our program participants and leaders have a variety of specialties and experiences to share. You will also have the opportunity to network with a variety of governmental and non-governmental entities.
Travel The World With Confidence
Whether this is your first trip abroad, or your latest venture, you will gain unforgettable insight that will challenge and reward you.
Become a Better Learner
Non-traditional settings will allow participants to break free of normal educational paradigms and realize their true capabilities.
What Will The Experience Be Like?
“Innovaquipos”
These groups work as short-term “innovative teams” (Spanish: Innovar = Innovate and Equipo = Team). Each Innovaquipo will be participating in a variety of undertakings that are individually and cumulatively intended to provide benefit to the communities of Ecuador. Each Innovaquipo will be designated a development project that is based on the theme of the Applied Immersion Program. Details on each development project as well as overall program goals and experiences will be discussed in weeks 3 & 4 of the experience
The program is divided into four segments:
- Orientation
- Foundation Building in Global Public Health and Sustainable Development
- Field Study Intensive and Project Development
- Conclusion and Presentation
PROGRAM COSTS:
- Contact us about customizing an experience for you that accommodates your schedule and needs.
- $5,500 per intern for the full, 8-week experience in Riobamba, Ecuador – does not include airfare and personal entertainment. (Limit 5 interns)
- $3,250 per intern for the hybrid experience, which includes 4 weeks in Riobamba, Ecuador – does not include airfare and personal entertainment.
- $2,000 per intern for a completely virtual/remote 8-week experience.
Questions?
Send us a message and our team will get back to you.